Receptacle



Feb. 4, 1969 G, D, SMITH ET AL 3,426,216

RECEPTACLE Filed July 28. 1965 Sheet ora Fig-Q l INVENTORS 2 +5 43 48 sa /46 4l Gaf/wv a. sfr/7l 47 ,eoeaer a coal, sa

ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1969 G. D. SMITH ET AL RECEPTACLE Filed July 28. 1965 lll INVENTOR5 GL/V/V 0. SMITH 9056!27'6. C0016, S. BY maf/ww) United States Patent O 20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE -A plug receptacle providing for insertion of a plug in alternate positions in a single plug location, with oontact members applied in a unique readily accessible manner establishing in one position ya continuously energized circuit and in the other position a selectively energized circuit.

This invention relates to electrical systems, and particularly to plug receptacles offering alternate installed plug positions.

An object of the invention is to provide for alternate installed plug positions in each plug location of an electrical outlet receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the making of different electrical connections in each alternate installed plug position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plug receptacle as described conforming in its dimensional characteristics to standard receptacles whereby it is adapted to use in either existing or new electricity distributing systems.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a plug receptacle as described so simply constructed and readily wired as to make it economically feasible as a substitute for a standard receptacle.

A still further object of the invention is to adapt a plug receptacle as described for use with plugs incorporating grounding posts.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a plug receptacle having in each plug receptacle alternate plug positions whereby a device to be actuated may alternately be connected to a continuously energized circuit or a switch controlled circuit, it being an attendant object in this connection to place each of a plurality f outlets under either individual or common switch control.

A still further object of the invention is to provide -a dual plug receptacle having common electrical contacts providing for diifering electrical connections as described in each plug location.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of use of electrical receptacles whereby such receptacles may not only be economically manufactured, but 'will be more eicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of application, and be unlikely to malfunction.

A fur-ther object of the invention is to provide an electrical receptacle possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter ice described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein are shown some but obviously not necessarily the only forms of embodiment of the invetnion,

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a dual plug receptacle in accordance with a tirst illustrated form of the invention, the mounting plate for the receptacle being shown attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the receptacle and mounting plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1 and relatively enlarged;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the receptacle body, with the back plate removed and enlarged relative to FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is `a view in cross-section :taken substantially along the line 5 5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic View, showing the contact members of the device of FIG. 1 connected in an electrical circuit;

FIG. 7 is a detail view in top plan of the mounting plate of FIG. l, as shown at a reduced scale;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a second illustrated form of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a view in longitudinal section, taken substantially along the irregular line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. l0 is a top plan View of the receptacle body according to the form of FIG. 8, with a top plate member removed, but with contact members installed;

FIG. 1l is a View in -cross-section taken substantially along the line 11-11 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing contact members in the form of FIG. 8 connected in an electrical circuit; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary detail 'view of the mounting plate of the FIG. 8 embodiment.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, and considering first the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6, the invention is disclosed in a dual plug receptacle 0f a kind in common use providing two plug locations wherein lamps or appliances may be connected to the household or building power supply. In accordance with the instant invention each plug location presents alternate installed positions. In one thereof the plug closes or bridges a continuously energized circuit. In the other the plug bridges a 4circuit. under switch control. Accordingly a lamp, for example, may `be plugged into any of the receptacles in -a room in a manner alternatively to place it under control of a room switch. Similarly, multiple lamps may be so connected, and, any number of rooms or an entire house may be placed under the control of a single switch.

The plug receptacle comprises a body 10 made of a non-electrically conductive material, such as plastic. In accordance with a preferred mode of construction thereof the body is Imade in a single piece, as by a molding process. The body 10 is rectangular in shape, being comprised of portions 11 and 12 square-like in configuration and interconnected by an integral web 13. The portions 11 and 12 each represent a separate pl-ug location. The portions are identical. A description of one will suffice for both, the same reference numerals being used to indicate like parts at each location. Thus, and referring to portion 11, a marginal wall 14 merges with the web 13 and projects therefrom. The wall is U-shaped with its open end facing web 13 and the opposed receptacle portion 12. One edge of wall 14 extends through and -beyond the plane of web 13 and terminates in a laterally projected flange 15. A projected face 16 of the flange 15 defines the -front face of the receptacle portion and has fonmed therein first an-d second pairs of pron-g receiving apertures 17-18 and I9- 20. The pairs of apertures are effectively superimposed upon one another and are lat right angles to one another. They are thus disposed about and in intersecting relation to a common center. A lplug, by turning angularly about such center, may have its prongs aligned alternatively with the apertures 17-18 or the apertures 19-20. The pairs of apertures define different installed positions of a plug in a single plug location as represented by the portion 11 of the receptacle.

The several apertures 17-20 are, moreover, disposed on respective sides of a square portion 21 which projects as a central post rearwardly or inwardly of the flange in an intermediate, spaced relation to the sides of marginal wall 14. Within the confines of wall 14, the post 21 terminates short of the plane defined by the opposite edge of the wall 14. At its projected end the post is formed with a square s-haped recess 22 at the bottom of which is a tapped bore 23. Together, the central post 21 and the wall 14 define a U-shaped chamber 24 lying above a base wall of the receptacle as represented by the web 13. Respective recesses (in the inner surface of face 16) 25, 26 and 27, connect portions of the chamber 24 with the several prong receiving apertures 17, 18 and 19. That side of the central post 21 facing the open end of U-shaped wall 14 is formed with divergng-converging fingers 28 an-d 29 cooperating to form a vertical recess or passage 31 aligned with andk communicating with prong receiving `aperture 20.

In the web 13, and opening through one side edge thereof, is a recess 32. A through opening 33, in offset relation to the recess 32, but positioned centrally of the body 10, provides for attachment of the receptacle body to an integrated mounting plate 34. The plate 34 has a large central opening 35 of a size to receive the body of the receptacle with a moderately close fit, the plate in an assembled relation of the parts occupying a position in underlying contacting relation to the flanges 15 at locations 11 and 12. A tongue 36 projects laterally from the side of the plate 34 into the opening 35. The tongue is bent to a slightly offset relation to the plane of the plate and is adapted to fbe received -in the recess 32 in web 13. A tapped hole 37 in the tongue 36 aligns with the opening 33 in the body web to provide for mounting a face plate. At each end of the plate 34 is a wal-l engaging projection 38 having an opening 39 therein accommodating screw means or the like for attaching the mounting plate and its supported receptacle body to an outlet box.

The rear of the body 10, or that integral side from which the walls 14 project, is closed by a back plate 41. The plate 41 bridges and is common to the locations 11 and 12. A peripheral, inwardly stepped portion 42 thereof is relatively closely received within the wall 14. Further, the inner surface of this plate is formed with square shaped projections 43 to longitudinally spaced locations, these being adapted to enter the previously mentioned recesses 22 in the vertical post-s 21. By virtue of the stepped portion 42 and by the interengagement of projections 43 and posts 21, the black plate 41 is secured against lateral motion relative to the body 10. The projections 43 each have a through opening 44. A screw 45 inserted therethrough is adapted to be received in the tapped bore 23 and to achieve a threaded connection therewith to hold the back plate 41 in a seated position upon the body 10.

The back plate 41 further is formed with an opening 46 of longitudinal extent disposed centrally of fthe plate intermediate projections 43. Having a press fit in the opening 46 is the base of a U-shaped clip 47 the ends of which project inwardly of the terminal openings. The base or closed end of the clip 47 is received in the opening 46 in a -manner t-o close it while projecting legs 49 and 51 extend inwardly of the fbody 10. The latter are there received in respective passages 31 at the locations 11 land 12. The outer end of leg 49 and 51 extends into overlying, adjacent relation to a respective prong receiving aperture 20. It is, moreover, lbent to be engaged and deflected by an inserted prong in the conventional manner of plug receptacles. The clip 47 is metallic, made of a exible, electrically conductive material and, as described, is common to the two pllug locations 11 and 12. Screws 52 are installed in the base portion 48 of the clip in a manner to be accessible from outside the back plate. Such screws are selectively used in the connecting of the clip 47 in an electrical circuit.

The clip 47 is thus an electrical cont-act member in the plug receptacle. Other such contact members are represented lby flexible, metallic clips 53 and 54. Referring to clip 53, it too is U-shaped, having a closed base portion 55 and legs 56 and 57 at right angles to such base portion. The clip 53 is received in the body 10, along one side edge thereof, the base portion 55 bridging the plug locations 11 and 12 and being received in the chambers 24 of such locations. Intermediate its ends the Ibase portion 55 has an outthrust, offset portion 58 projecting between aligned walls 14 or through what may be considered an opening separating such wall portions. Screws 59 and 61 are installed in such outthrust portion 58 and are accessible from outside the body for the making of electrical connections. On opposite sides of offset 58, but still within base portion 55, the clip 53 is formed with integral depending fingers 62 and 63. These are received in recesses 25 or 26 of the locations 11 and 12, in accordance with the side of the body -in which the clip 53 is installed, and so overlie a prong receiving opening 17 or 18. The terminals of the fingers 62 and 63 are bent for engagement with an inserted plug prong as before described. The clip 53 further is formed, on its legs 56 and 57, with respective 'dependent fingers 64 and 65. These are shaped like the fingers 62 and 63 and are respectively received in a recess 27 to overlie a prong receiving aperture 19, at each plug location. The clip 53 is thus common to the two plug locations, and, further, at each location, presents two different contact fingers each associated with a respectively different pair of prong receiving apertures, 17 and 19 in the example illustrated.

The clip 54 is substantially identical to the clip 53, except for omission of the end legs 56 and 57 of the latter. It thus comprises a substantially planar section 66 between the ends of which is an offset portion 67. At the ends of section 66 are dependent fingers 68 and 69. The clip 54 is disposed in opposing relation to the clip 53, that is, on the opposite side of the body 10 in a bridging relation to the chambers 24 of the respective plug locations. Offset 67 is received between associa-ted aligned portions of sidewalls 14 in the same manner as portion 58 of clip 53 but on the opposite side of the receptacle body. Screws 70 are installed in offset 67 for the making of electrical connections to the clip 54. The dependent fingers 68 and 69 are received in respective recesses 26, in the example shown, to overlie and to extend into adjacent relation to prong receiving apertures 17. The clip 54 is common to the two plug locations and the dependent fingers 68 and 69 thereof lie in a respectively opposed relation to ngers 63 and 62 on the clip 53. The clips 53 and 54 are loosely received in the Xbody 10, being installed therein merely by being dropped into place in the provided body configurations. The back plate 41 holds the inserted clips in place, the underside of such plate extending approximately into contacting relation to adjacent presented edges of the clips.

As heretofore noted, in each plug location a plug is alternatively installed in the pair of apertures 17-18 or the pair of apertures 19-20. In the former instance the prongs of the plug respectively contact and thus electrically bridge the fingers 62 and 69 or 63 and 68 of contact clips 53 and 54. Installed in apertures 19-20, onv the other hand, the prongs of the plug respectively contact and electrically bridge fingers 64 or 65 of clip 5 ,3 and'leg 49 or 51 of clip 47. Thus, in the one instance the result isy electrically to connect contact members 53 and l 54 while in the other instance the result is electrically to connect contact members 53 and 47. Simultaneous like Aor unlike connections may be made in the plug locations.

As indicated'in the diagram of FIG. 6, the plug receptacle' while variously useful to complete different electrical circuits as described has particular utility in common household arrangements wherein it is desired to place av lamp or electrical appliance under control of a wall switch. In accordance with this arrangement, the clip 53 is electrically connected to the negative or ground side of a household current supply, as by attaching the correct lead, 71to a screw post 59 or 61 thereon. The positive side of the'current supply is extended toward the receptacle :by a conductor 72 and joined to the clip 54 by a branch lead 731 The conductor 72 extends beyond branch 73 and is connected also to clip'47. In the conductor 72, beyond branch lead 73, is a switch 74. As is evident, the contact members or clips 53 and 54 are thus continuously connected to the source of current supply and plug means bridging these clips will continuously energize whatever circuit means the plug is a part. On t-he other hand, plug means bridging clip 53 and clip 47 has its circuit under control of the switch 74. When this switch is closed such circuit is energized. When the switch is open the controlled circuit is deenergized. According to the construction and arrangement of parts, in the illustrated form, therefore, installation of a plug with its prongs in the apertures 17 and 18 will provide for a continuously energzed circuit while installation of the plug with its prongs in apertures 19 and 20 will provide a circuit alternatively open or closed depending upon the position of switch 74. With the instant plug receptacle in use throughout a room or throughout a house an electrical device or devices may be located where desired and placed under switch control. For example, a plurality of lamps in a single room or in any number of rooms may be simultaneously turned on and off from a single, conveniently located, control switch.

The second considered form of the invention is constructed to the same purpose and functions to the same end as the first considered form. It is, however, modified to 'accept grounding type plugs,.that is, plugs having a third prong, normally in the form of a post, which makes contact with a part in the receptacle to be grounded through the mounting plate. Referring to FIGS. 8 to l2, the receptacle of the second form lof the invention comprises a body 75 generally rectangular inform and having an upstanding marginal wall 76. The base of the body 75 ,has a central through opening 77. On each side of the opening 77 is a chamber 78 defined by a generally rectangular inner wall 79, the latter. being ,space-d inwardly of the side portions of marginal wall 76. The chambers 78 define respective plug locations, the receptacle of this form of the invention being a dual receptacle, as in the case of the first embodiment.

, .The body 75 is overlaid at its upper or outer end by a face plate 81. A bolt 82 extends upwardly throughout the. base of body 75 through each chamber 78 and has a threaded engagement in a central projecting boss 83 on the underside of the face plate 81. The boss 83 is positioned centrally of each plug location on the plate 81, which location further is defined by a relatively raised flange portion 84 having therein two pair of prong receiving apertures 85-86 and 87-88. The described pairs Iof apertures are in a side by side nearby relation on opposite sides of the center plane of the flange 84. Centrally disposed between the pair of apertures and 86 is a grounding post receiveing opening 89. A similar opening 91 is correspondingly positioned between apertures 87 and 88. The posts are on opposite sides of boss 83 and aligned with chamber 78.

The underside of the yface plate 81 is formed with a longitudinal recess 92 in an aligned, intersecting relation to the grounding post receiving openings 89 and 91. The recess 92 receives the elongated narrow body portion of a mounting plate 93. On opposite sides of its center, occupied by a tapped hole 94, the mounting plate 93 is formed with a rectangular opening 95 which is aligned with and of a length to bridge the chamber 78. Boss 83 extends through the opening 95 and the grounding post receiving openings 89 and 91 are aligned therewith. The mounting plate 93 rests on the upper ends of walls 76 and 79 and is held thereto by the anges 84, the face plate y81 being drawn downward upon the body 75, and interposed parts, by means of bolts 82 as before described. In an interposed relation to the flanges 84 and mounting plate 93 is a `grounding clip 96. The clip 96 overlies the plate 93 over a part of its length and in the region of each chamber 78 is for-med with outstruck downwardly extending spring fingers 97 and 98. These extend within chamber 78 into the line of respective ground post receiving openings 89 and 91. A grounding post inserted through an opening 189 or 91 will project into the charnber 78 and engage and partly deflect an aligned spring finger 97 and 98. The clip 96, being held in close Widespread contact with the mounting plate 93 is connected to ground to and through such plate.

At each end thereof the plate 93 projects beyond body 75 and Aface plate 81 and is suitably formed, as with an opening 99 for attachment to a connection box. Each such projecting end further is formed with a pair of turned down abutment portions 101 which engage the ends of body 75 and inhibit relative longitudinal motion between the mounting plate and body. The grounding clip 96 has an opening 102 tO register with the tapped opening 94 in the mounting plate so that a face plate may be fastened in place. In this connection, longitudinal recess 92 is open through the upper surface of the face plate intermediate the dual plug locations.

The electrical contact members of the second illustrated form of the invention include a clip 104 having a square shaped base portion 105 which is received in and substantially closes the central opening 77 in the ing bent spring finger 108. At its other end, beyond base portion 105 is formed with upturned walls 106 and 107. At one end thereof the wall 106 projects a short distance beyond base portion 105 and terminates in `an upstanding bent spring finger 108. At its other end, beyond base portion 105, the wall 106 is formed with a U-shaped offset portion 109 and beyond such portion is formed with another upstanding bentV spring finger 111. The wall 107 is formed identically to the wall 106, having to opposite ends thereof projecting spring lfingers 112 and 113, the latter being located beyond an offset 114. The walls 106 and 107 are, however, inversely disposed with the longer end of wall 106 as represented by offset 109 and 111 extending in a direction opposite to that of the corresponding arm of wall 107. The arrangement is one to place the contact fingers 108 and 112 respectively opposite offset portions 114 and 109. The Walls are in an opposing relation, in that the spring contact fingers are formed to face inwardly or toward the plane of base portion 105. The clip 104 has a substantially press fit in the opening 77. Its walls 106 and 107 extend longitudinally through the body 75 into generally embracing relation to the chambers 78 as defined by the Walls 79. The arrangement places contact fingers 108 and 113 at one plug location in the receptacle and corresponding fingers 111 and 112 at the other plug location. At each location one contact finger, as the finger 108, is projected into aligned cooperative relation witha prong receiving aperture of one pair, as the aperture 87, while the other contact member, as member 113, is projected into adjacent cooperative relation to a prong receiving aperture of the other pair, as aperture 86.

Other contact members are disposed in the body to provice for electrical bridging at each pair of prong receiving apertures. There are two such other members, identical to one another, shown at 115 and 116. Each such member is formed with a fiat base portion `117 along the rear edge of which is an upstanding wall 118. The base 117 projects at its ends beyond wall 118 and is yformed at its opposite extremities with upstanding spring contact fingers 119 and 121. These are in projecting relation to the front edge of the base portion 117 and laterally spaced tfrom the back wall 118. The clips 115 and 116 are received in the body 75 along respective long sides thereof, with the back plates 118 thereof in adjacent substantially contacting relation to respective marginal side walls 76. Further, the arrangement is one to place the terminal fingers 119 and 121 at respectively different plug locations in a cooperative relation with corresponding prong receiving apertures therein. Thus, the clip 115 is disposed to have its contact finger 119 project into cooperative relation with prong receiving aperture 85 in such manner as t be in an opposed cooperative relation to contact finger 113 on the clip 104. The other contact finger 121 is similarly disposed with respect to the prong receiving aperture 85 of the other receptacle location.

The finger 121 achieves its cooperative relation with an aperture 85 -by passing in underlying relation to the wall 106 of clip 104 or more particularly in such underlying relation to the offset portion 109 thereof. The clip 116 is arranged like the clip 11S but is in longitudinally offset relation thereto in such manner as to place its end finger in cooperative relation with prong receiving aperture 88 of the pairs of apertures 87-88. Its finger 121, like the corresponding finger of the clip 115, reaches aperture 88 by extending in underlying intersecting relation to the offset 114 of clip `1014. The contact members are held in place by being in an edge abutting contact with the overlying face plate 81. They are suitably constructed for the making of individual electrical connections thereto. Thus, each clip 115 and 116 has in its back wall 118 `an installed screw post 122 while there is mounted in the base portion 105 of clip 104 a screw post 123. In each instance, the screw posts 122 and 123 hold in place a wire clamp 103.

T'he described arrangement of contact members is such as to make clip 104 common yto each pair of prong receiving apertures in each plug location. The clips 115 and 116, on the other hand extend to respectively different pairs of apertures at each location. The arrangement accordingly is one wherein insertion of a plug in the pair of apertures r85 and 86 of each location serves to bridge clips 104 and 115 while insertion of Ithe plug in apertures 87 and i88 serves to bridge clip 104 and clip 116. As shown in FIG. 12, an electrical circuit in which the receptacle is wired may tfind the clip 104 connected to negative or ground by a conductor 124. From the positive side of the supply source a conductor 125 has a branch lead 126 extended to the clip 115. Beyond the branch lead 126 the conductor 125 has a switch 127 interposed therein and is extended to connect to clip 116. According to this construction and arrangement of parts, therefore, insertion of a plug in the apertures 8S-86 will find the controlled circuit continuously energized. Installation of the plug lin apertures 87-88, however, will result in a circuit alternatively opened and closed in accordance with the position of switch 127.

Plugs with grounding posts customarily locate such posts intermediate but in laterally offset relation to the prongs so that lthe pair of prongs and the grounding posts define a triangular outline. In the installation of such a plug, in the instant receptacle, the openings 89 and 91 are thus respectively related to the sets of apertures 87-88 and l-86. That is, a plug having its prongs received in apertures y85-8'6 will locate its grounding post in opening 91, and, a plug having its vprongs received in-apertures 87- 7 88 will have its grounding post received in opening 89. In either event, as before described, the post willmake contact with an outstruck portion 97 or 98 of the grounding clip 96 for grounding through the mounting plate 93.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacricing any yof, its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or lessspecificas to structural features, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that 4the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention we claim:

1. A plug receptacle, including a body, fiat formed clip-like members received in said body, two pairs of prong receiving apertures opening through one side of said body, said members being received in said body through the other side of said body, said pairs of apertures being disposed in rotatively offset relation to one another in such manner that a plug is selectively aligned therewith by rotation about its axis, back plate means in separable closing relation to `the said other side of `said body and holding said members positioned in said body, and a contact device projected from said plate interiorly of said body and in opposed cooperative relation to a contact portion on one of said clip-like members insaid body, said device and contact portion being bridged by a plug inserted in one of said pairs of apertures, said clip-like members in said body including other contact portions in opposed cooperative relation and bridged by a plug inserted in the other one of said pairs of apertures.

2. A plug receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that said body in constructed with two pairs of prong receiving apertures as described at each of longitudinally spaced posi-tions, said members being formed to be common to said positions;

3. A plug receptacle, including a body, opposing cliplike members in said body having projecting spring fingers extending toward one side of said body and defining a first pair of fingers, one of said members having an angular portion with a projectingjnger at right angles to said first pair of fingers, a separable plate made of nonconductive material closing the opposite side of said body and Iholding said members in the body, a member on said plate having a projecting finger in opposing re# lation to the said projecting finger on said angular portion and defining therewith a second pair of fingers, and selectively usable pairs of prong receiving apertures in said one side of said body at right ang-les to one another by which an inserted plug may Vengage and bridge either the first or the second pairs of projecting spring fingers.

4. A plug receptacle according to claim 3, characterized by means for continuously energizing said opposing pair of members and for selectively energizing the said member on said plate.

5. A plug receptacle, including a formed generally hollow body having an outer side wall, the black face thereof being open and the front closed, an interior wall in said body upstanding on said front face and defining with said outer wall 'a surrounding cavity, a clip-like member received in said cavity on one side of said interior wall, another clip-like member received in said cavity on another side of said interior wall in opposing electrically disconnected relation to the first said member, said other member having a bent vover portion received in said cavity on a further sider of said interior wall, a non-conductive plate mounted on said body in separable closing relation to the back thereof and having a further member dependent therefrom received in said cavity on still another side,x of said interior wall in opposing electrically disconnected relation to -said bent over portion of said other member, and means for installing a plug in the front face of said body selectively to bridge the first said members or to bridge said bent over portion and said fiirther member, the front face of said body having a plurality of sets of openings located about acommon center as defined by Said interior wall to accommodate said plu'g, said back pla'te holding the first said and said other members in said body.

6. A plug receptacle according to claim- 5, characterized by.interengaging means on said interior wall and on said batik plate establishing and maintaining an alignment of said lfurther meniber.

7. A dual plpg receptacle providing longitudinally spaced apart locations of plug installations, including an elongated generally rectangular body, said body being marginally defined by an outer wall iand having an open baclc and a closed front face, a first yoke-like member extending along one side of said outer wall within said bodyand having ends bent -in to extend along the ends of said outer Wall, a second member electrically disconnected from the first extending [along the other side of said outer wall in opposing relation -to the first said member, a plate mounted to said-body in separable closing relation to said back thereof common to said plug locations, and a third member dependent from said back plate to be received in said body intermediate said first and second members, said third member having portions in respectively opposing relation to the turned over ends of said first yoke member, and two pair of prong receiving apertures in said front face of said body at each location of plug installation arranged at angles' to one another so lthat an installed plug may selectively bridge and electrically interconnect with said first and second members or said first and third members.

Q8. A plug receptacle,I including a body presenting in a single plug location a plurality of pairs of prong receiving apertures in side-by-side relation defining different installed positionsbf a plug, a member in said body cornmonly contacted by a plug in each installed pQsition, other members in saidj body each contacted by a plug in a different respective' installed position, and grounding post receiving means in said body so arranged with respect to said apertures to accept a grounding post ir'ra'ny installed position of a plug, said grounding post receiving means comprising an"`opening located substantially between the apertures of each pair, installation of a plug in one position placing th' grounding post thereof in an opening associated with an adjacent position.

9. A plug receptacle, including a body presenting in a single location a plurality of pairs of prong receiving recesses and presenting further a plurality of grounding post receiving recesses, a top cover seated lon said body providing a plurality of pairs of prong passing apertures and a plurality of grounding post passing apertures, a plurality of electrically conducting spring clips in said prong receiving recesses differentially connected inthe different plug positions, a mounting plate in surrounding relation to said body in underlying relation to said top cover, and a grounding clip clamped between to said cover and said body in a contacting relation to said mounting plate, said grounding clip having tongue portions projeeted into said grounding post receiving recesses.

10. A plug receptacle device, including a body presenting a pair of plug locations, in each of which locations is a plurality of pairs of prong receiving apertures in a rectangular arrangement, respective pairs defining different installed positions of a plug, a first pair of members in said body having contact elements, the respectiye contact elements of said members beingdisposedin an opposing longitudinally displaced relation, a secondy pair of members in said body having contact elements," the respective contact elements of said second pair of members being disposed in an opposing longitudinally offset relation, said members having said Contact elements so disposed that each said pair of prong receiving apertures provides access to a pair of contact elements including at one aperture thereof a contact element of one of said first pair of members and at the other aperture thereof a contact element of one of said second pair of contact members.

11. A plug receptacle 'as in claim 10 including means providing for the electrical interconnection of the respective ,pairs` of contact elements accessible at each plug location for selectively achieving, depending on the pair to which the prongs of a plug may bejapplied, a continuously energized circuit or a selectively energized circuit. y

12. A plug receptacle device as in claim 10 characterized by said first pair of members being substantially identical and said second pair of members being substantially identical.

13. A plug receptacle device according to claim 10 characterized in that said members are arranged in opposing sets, each set being made up of a member from each of :said first land second pairs of members, and said contact elements thereof are arranged in respectively adjacent spaced lines.

14. A plug receptacle device according to claim 10 characterized by means physically interconnecting said first pair of members, which means provides for electrical interconnection of said members.

15. A plug receptacle device according to claim 10 characterized by grounding post receiving apertures ineluded in said body in each plug location, there being a ground post receiving aperture in line with and intermediate each pair of prong receiving apertures, said members in said body being laterally spaced apart a distance to accommodate receipt of grounding posts in recesses in said body between said members.

16. A plug receptacle device according to claim 15 characterized by an apertured mounting plate, portions of which project peripherally of said body, and a grounding clip in electrically conductive relation to said plate having tongue portions projecting into said grounding post receiving recesses',wsaid body including a top cover portion having said prong receiving apertures therein which cover portion is fixed to clamp said plate and-'grounding clip to said body.

17. A plug receptacle device according to claim 10, characterized in that said members comprise opposing sets of members, each set being made up of a member from each of said first and second pairs in an adjacent longitudinally offset relation to another, portions thereof being arranged to interfit.

' 18. A plug receptacle according to claim 10, characterized in that first pair of members is united by a base portion forming a connected assembly of spaced contact members, said base portion electrically interconnecting said members land being adapted -for connection in a'n electrical circuit.

19. A plug receptacle including a body having means defining upper and lower faces, one of which presents therein a pair of laterally spaced apart plug locations in each of which are adjacent pairs of prong receiving aperltures, the other yof said faces being formed at least in part by a non-conductive closure plate portion, common to said locations, electrical members including fiat clip-like mem- 1-1 bers common to and bridging saidplug locations and received in said lbody to have portions thereof in edge abuttingcontact'with said closure plate portion, said cliplike members being releasably confined in such condition within said body,'said clip-like members having contact portions appropriately disposed at said apertures and 4means for making electrical connections to said at cliplike members through said body to provide for the pairs of contact portions at each plug location to respectively provide for a continuously energized circuit or a selectively energized circuit, depending on the pair of Contact portions which is engaged by a plug.

20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 19 characterized by means interconnecting the means defining said upper and lower faces including a holding screw which prevents relative displacement thereof whereby to releasably conne said clip members within said body.

1 2 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS vElliott 339-33 2,312,580 3/1943 OBrien 307-112 2,955,272 10/1960 Gallardo 339-32 X 3,054,994 9/1962 Haram 307-112 3,246,179 4/1966 Berner i 307-114 3,297,886 1/1967 Danner z 307-1112 1,786,292 12/1930 Reamer 339-154 X 2,946,037 7/1960 Platz et al. v 339-154 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Plrimm Examine?. T. B. JOIKE, Assz'stantExaml'ner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 339-14, 32, 154 

